Oregon Sugar Pods or Sweet Peas

I am planting Oregon Sweet Peas or Sugar Pods in Northern Florida and I don't know how to explain or justify that to myself.  In the first place, you sow/plant whatever is available in the various seed stores.  Second; it may have something to do with the climate.  The sweet peas do like cooler weather but not necessarily freezing cold.

I sowed Sweet Peas earlier this year and only one seedling came up!  The seeds were fresh; however, the weather may not have been the best for sowing:  it was too dry; too chilly, and then it was right cold.

So, my husband and I went down town to Standard Feed and bought a package of their Oregon Sweet Peas or Oregon Sweet Peas, enough for two 8-foot rows planted very close together so that they can use the same trellis.

The soil was soft and easy to make two row about 3 inches deep and I "evenly" distributed my seeds, covered them up, and patted them down with the garden rake.  As they come up, I will continue to hill soil round them  Eventually, I will also fertilize them with a common garden/vegetable fertilizer such as 10-10-10.


Once the peas are beginning to mature, I love picking the pea pods and eating them right there.  My serving of fresh vegetables.

I strongly recommend harvesting the peas before they do get too full.  I usually blanch my peas, chill 'em in running cold water, bag and label them for the freezer.

Some gardeners like to presoak seeds overnight to speed up germination.  It is difficult to say how long it will take for the peas to germinate.  It depends on the warmth of the sun, the temperature of the soil, and the all important watering.

A guesstimate for germination is 8 days and 120 days to maturity.  Peas are usually ready for harvest 3 weeks after flowers appear.

Happy Gardening!

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